Preventing Leaks; Installing Tubing And Fittings - Waters ACQUITY UPLC M-Class System Manual

Controlling Contamination in Ultra Performance LC/MS and
See also:
HPLC/MS Systems.

Preventing leaks

Preventing leaks ensures that the system maintains adequate pressure and
sample integrity throughout the analysis.
Leaks can occur at any tubing connection, gasket, or seal but are most
common at tubing connections. Low-pressure leaks, those on the intake side of
the solvent manager's pump, cause solvent loss and air introduction during
the intake cycle. Leaks at high-pressure fittings downstream of the intake
valves can leak solvent, but do not introduce air.
To prevent leaks, follow Waters' recommendations for the proper tightening of
system fittings. Note specifically that different techniques apply to
retightening fittings versus installing them for the first time. (See the user
documentation for the specific system modules for leak detection techniques.)

Installing tubing and fittings

Warning:
safety glasses, and direct the tubing end away from you.
After connecting both ends of the tubing, whenever the
Important:
downstream portion of the new tubing is subject to blocking by a valve or
other device, perform the set-pressure diagnostic test, to determine whether
leaks are present. (See the online Help for the ACQUITY UPLC M-Class
system, for information about the set-pressure diagnostic test.)
To install capillary tubing:
1. Connect the end nearest the pump source (active end).
2. Choose the Advanced option of the set-pressure diagnostic test, and
configure pumps A and B to produce constant pressure.
3. Flush the tubing for a minimum of two minutes using 50:50
water/acetonitrile at a pressure of 70,000 kPa (700 bar, 10,000 psi).
Installing new tubing can cause the release of particles into the
Note:
system and ultimately into sensitive components.
To avoid eye injury when flushing the tubing, always wear
March 10, 2014, 715003588 Rev. A
Preventing leaks
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